Piezoelectricity activates persulfate for water treatment: A perspective

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing persulfate (PS) offer great potential for wastewater treatment. Yet, the dependency on energy and chemical-intensive activation techniques, such as ultraviolet radiation and transition metal ions, constrains their widespread adoption. Recognizing this limitation, researchers are turning towards the piezoelectric effect—a novel, energy-efficient method for PS activation that capitalizes on the innate piezoelectric characteristics of materials. Intriguingly, this method taps into weak renewable mechanical forces omnipresent in nature, ranging from wind, tides, water flow, sound, and atmospheric forces. In this perspective, we delve into the burgeoning realm of piezoelectric/PS-AOPs, elucidating its fundamental principles, the refinement of piezoelectric materials, potential mechanical force sources, and pertinent application contexts. This emerging technology harbors significant potential as a pivotal element in wastewater pretreatment and may spearhead innovations in future water pollution control engineering.